The Benue State Government has sealed a private mortuary in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area, after some youths allegedly breached public health regulations by depositing the body of a confirmed Lassa fever victim at the facility.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that he led a delegation of senior health officials and security personnel to Okpokwu and Ogbadibo LGAs to restore calm and prevent possible spread of the disease following the incident.
According to Ogwuche, the deceased, a 54-year-old woman from Ogbadibo, died at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, where laboratory results confirmed she was infected with Lassa fever.
He said when officials from the ministry attempted to conduct a safe burial, some irate youths resisted the process, attacked the health team, and forcefully took the corpse, later placing it in the mortuary that has now been shut down.
The commissioner explained that he intervened on Wednesday by coordinating efforts involving community leaders, local government authorities, and security agencies.
The intervention, he said, led to the recovery and safe burial of the deceased in Orokam, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.
Ogwuche announced that both the hospital and the mortuary have been closed pending thorough decontamination, disinfection, and a full epidemiological assessment.
“All individuals who had direct or indirect contact with the deceased, including healthcare workers, have been traced and placed under observation,” he said.
He assured that the government remains committed to safeguarding public health and warned residents against actions that could endanger lives.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to avoid handling the remains of persons who may have died from infectious diseases and to promptly report symptoms such as persistent fever or unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility.